This thesis focuses on the development of method to the photochemical synthesis of niobium nanoparticles (NbNP) using Irgacure 907 (I-907) photoinitiator. This investigation is composed of two parts; whereas the mechanistic study of formation of particles was investigated first, and then followed by particles property characterization. By studying the mechanism of formation we were able to obtain knowledge on how to control the size of NbNP. This knowledge provided us with ability to generate a library of nanoparticles with the varying sizes. Furthermore, the study of I-907 photoproducts has given insight for an alternative method for the synthesis of NbNP using a milder reducing agent, 4-(methylthio)benzaldehyde (MSBA). Exposure of NbNP to air causes their oxidation leading to the formation of niobium oxide nanoparticles (NbONP). The oxidation of NbONP was characterized with variety of techniques (XPS, EDS and HRTEM) that demonstrated the core-shell structure of the nanoparticles. These methods indicated that the core is metallic Nb0 and the shell is the niobium oxide, Nb2O5. Since Nb2O5 is known be a strong Brønsted acid, we tested the Brønsted activity of NbONP with pH sensitive dye coumarin-6 (C6) (monitored using fluorescence and UV-vis). The results of these spectroscopic experiments indicated that NbONP can protonate C6, thus serving as confirmation for the acidity of NbONP. Furthermore, particles with varying sizes were tested with C6 to check if the difference in size affects the acidity. It was observed that the particles with the larger sizes have the strongest acidity and the particles of smaller sizes are less acidic.

This thesis is concerned with the synthesis and characterisation of new ansa bridged bis-η-cyclopentadienyl derivatives of niobium. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the area of early transition metal bent metallocene derivatives and charts the development of ansa bridged metallocenes. Chapter 2 presents the synthesis and characterisation of some new ansa niobocene derivatives prepared from niobium(IV) chloride. The compounds [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂- η-C₅H₄)(η²-BH₄)],* [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(PMe3)H],* [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄)(PPh₃)H], [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(SPh)₂] and [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄)(CH2Ph)2]* are described. An asterisk indicates that the X-ray crystal structure was determined. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterisation of some ansa niobocene derivatives containing ancillary imido ligands. The compounds [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄)(NSiMe₃)Cl],* [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(NBu')X] (X = Cl,* Br,* I,* Me), [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(NHBu')Cl][BF₄)]and[Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(O)Cl]* are described. An asterisk indicates that the X-ray crystal structure was determined. Photoelectron spectra were recorded for [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(NBu')X] (X = Cl, Me) and compared to a geometry optimisation calculation obtained using density functional theory. In these formally twenty electron compounds the HOMO has negligible metal contribution and the eighteen electron rule is not violated. Chapter 4 describes the results of a preliminary investigation into ansa niobium(III) bis-η-cyclopentadienyl derivatives containing phosphorus donor ligands. The compound [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(PMe₃)Cl] is characterised spectroscopically. The synthesis and full characterisation details of the compound [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄){P(OMe)₃}Cl] are given, including the X-ray crystal structure. Chapter 5 provides the experimental details for the preceding Chapters and Chapter 6 contains the characterising data for the new compounds described in this thesis. Full details of the X-ray crystallographic structure determinations are given in Appendices A -1.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 131).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2009. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Proefschrift Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. / Auteursnaam op omslag: Peter Magnée. Met lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

Th.--Sci. phys.--Grenoble--I.N.P., 1977. N°: DE 19.

Orientador: Luiz Carlos da Silva Filho / Banca: Cristiano Raminelli / Banca: Adilson Beatriz / Banca: Gilbert Bannach / Banca: Daniel Rinaldo / Resumo: Nesse trabalho nós apresentamos uma metodologia para a síntese dos derivados de tetra-aril-1,4-di-hidropirrol[3,2-b]pirroles através de uma reação multicomponente entre derivados de benzaldeído, derivados de anilina e a butano-2,3-diona promovida pelo pentacloreto de nióbio em condições brandas e com excelentes rendimentos, entre59 e 98% e com baixos tempos reacionais, de 20 a40 minutos. Uma comparação entre os resultados deste estudo e os encontrados na literatura para a síntese multicomponente de tetra-aril-1,4-di-hidropirrol[3,2-b]pirroles promovida por ácidos de Lewis também fez parte deste trabalho, e pudemos concluir que o pentacloreto de nióbio é muito eficiente nessa síntese, já que permite um maior rendimento em menor tempo reacional que os outros ácidos. Também apresentamos a caracterização óptica dos produtos sintetizados, com espectroscopia de absorção na região do UV-Vis e de fluorescência, onde observamos que os compostos sintetizados apresentaram valores comparáveis aos tieno[3,2-b]tiofenos e aos indolo[3,2-b]indoles, ambos sendo compostos que apresentam aplicações em dispositivos eletrônicos orgânicos. / Abstract: In this work we report a method for the synthesis of tetraaryl-1,4-dihydropyrrolo-[3,2-b]pyrroles derivatives through a multicomponent reaction between benzaldehyde derivatives, aniline derivatives and butane-2,3-dione promoted by niobium pentachloride, in mild conditions with excellent yields, between 59 and 98% and low reaction times, from 20 to 40minutes. A comparison between our results and the ones found in the literature for the synthesis of tetraaryl-1,4-dihydropyrrolo-[3,2-b]pyrroles derivatives using different Lewis acids was also in the scope of this work, and we could conclude that niobium pentachloride is very efficient for these synthesis, since it gives better yields in lower time. We also show the optical characterization of the synthesized products, with UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, where we could observe that the synthesized compounds presented values comparable with thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes and indolo[3,2-b]indoles, both having applications in organic electronic devices. / Doutor

Orientador: Luiz Carlos da Silva Filho / Banca: Paulo Marcos Donaté / Banca: Eduardo René Perez Gonzalez / O Programa da Pós Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, PosMat, tem carater institucional e integra as atividades de pesquisa em materiais de diversos campi / Resumo: As reações multicomponentes (RMCs) são geralmente definidas como um processo em que três ou mais reagentes combinam-se, em um mesmo "pot" reacional, para formar um produto que tenha características estruturais de cada reagente utilizado, gerando produtos com uma boa complexidade estrutural em apenas uma etapa. Com base nisto este trabalho tem como objetivo a utilização de diferentes compostos de Nióbio como agente promotor de RMC de aza-Diels-Alder. O pentacloreto de nióbio promove a síntese de diferentes derivados de tetrahidroquinolinas através de reação de derivados de anilina e benzaldeíd e diferentes éteres enólicos cíclicos (di-hidropiano e di-hidrofurano), com baixos tempos reacionais, altos rendimentos e com ótimo excesso diastereoisométricos. Foi estudada também, a utilização do pentaetóxido de nióbio na síntese de derivados de cetoaminas bicíclicas através da RMC entre derivados de anilina, benzaldeído e 2 ciclo-hexenona. A reação foi promovida em moderados tempos reacionais, obtendo-se os produtos com altos rendimentos e com moderados excesso diastereoisoméricos, em condições reacionais brandas. Paralelamente aos estudos com os compostos de nióbio, foram realizados estudos de elucidação estrutural de alguns derivados de tetra-hidroquinolinas sintetizados, utilizando técnicas de RMN e cálculos teóricos / Abstract: The multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are defined as a process wherein three or more reactants combine, in the same reaction "pot" to form a product that contains the structural characteristics of each reagent utilized, forming products with a good structural complexity in one steep. The aim of this work is the utilization of different niobium compounds as promoter of aza-Diels-Alder MCRs. The Niobium pentachloire promotes the synthesis of different tetrahydriquinolines derivatives through of reaction between anline derivatives, benzaldehyde and different cyclic enolic ethers (dihydropyran and dihydrofuran), with low reaction times, high yields and with great diastereoisomeric ratio. Was studied too, the utilization of niobium pentaethoxide in the synthesis of bicyclic ketamine derivatives through the MCR between anline derivatives, benzaldehyde and cyclohexenone. The reaction was promoted in moderate reaction times, obtaining the products with high yields and with moderate diastereoisomeric ratio, in mild reaction conditions. At the same time of the studies with niobium compounds, were realized studies of unequivocal structural elucidation of some tetrahydroquinoline derivatives synthetized, utilizing NMR techniques and theoretical calculations / Mestre

Orientador: Luiz Carlos da Silva Filho / Banca: Kleber Thiago de Oliveira / Banca: Timothy John Brocksom / O Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, PosMat, tem caráter institucional e integra as atividades de pesquisa em materiais de diversos campi / Resumo: A síntese de diabenzoxantenos e 4-aril-3,4-di-hidrocumarinas (neoflavononas) apresenta grande interesse para a química orgânica porque ambos os núcleos são encontrados em moléculas naturais e sintéticas que possuem aplicações como agentes anti-inflamatórios, antioxidantes e antimicrobianos. As reações one-post fornecem uma estratégia interessante para a preparação desses compostos, pois são processos que mesmo envolvendo diversas etapas, ocorrem no mesmo meio reacional, sem a necessidade de realizar separações de produtos a cada etapa. Assim, essas reações reduzem tempo, economizam energia e permitem a obtenção de produtos de boa complexidade estrutural. Portanto, neste trabalho, investigamos o uso do pentacloreto de nióbio como ácido de Lewis em reações one-pot para a otenção de 14-aril-14H-diabezon[a,j]xantenos de 4-aril-3,4-di-hidro-benzol[f]cumarinas, moléculas com potencial aplicação no desenvolvimento de corantes sensibilizadores do tipo D-Л-A para utilização em dispositivos de Grãtzel. O NbCI5 promove a síntese dos derivados de 14-aril-14H-diabenzol[a,j]xanteno através da reação de condensação one-post entre 2-naftol e aldeídos aromáticos, à temperatura ambiente, em tempos reacionais aceitáveis e com excelentes rendimentos (70-98%).A utilização do NBCI5 na reação multicomponente entre 2-naftol, molonato de dimetila e aldeídos aromáticos também foi estudada. Essa RMC mostrou ser uma boa rota sintética para a obtenção dos derivados de 14-aril-14H-dibenzol[a,j]xanteno e de 4-aril-3,4-di-hidrobenzol[f]cumarina, com predominância das 4-aril-3,4-di-hidro-benzol[f]cumarinas (41-93%). A caracterização óptica dos derivados de 14-aril-14H-dibenzol[a,j]xanteno e de 4-aril-3,4-dihidro-benzol[f]cumarina revelou que esses compostos possuem bandas de absorção na região do ultravioleta, sendo assim necessário realizar modificações estruturais para que possamos utilizá-los como corantes... / Abstract: The synthesis of dibenzoxanthenes and 4-aryl-3,4-dihydrocoumarins (neoflavonones) is of great interest in the field of organic chemistry because both moieties are found in natural and synthetic molecules which present applications as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. The one-pot reactions provide an interesting strategy for the preparation of these compounds since all the steps required can be carried out in the same reaction medium, without needing to separate the products at each step of the process. Therefore, these reactions reduce time, save energy and also allow us to obtain good structural complexity products. Hence, in this work, we investigate the use of niobium pentachloride as a Lewis acid in one-pot reactions to obtain 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and 4-aryl-3,4-dihydro-benzo[f]coumarins, molecules with potential applications in the development of type D-Л-A dyes used in Grätzel Devices. The NbCI5 promotes the synthesis of the 14-aryl-14H-diabenzo[a,j]xanthene derivatives by a one-pot condensation reaction between 2-naphthol and aromatic aldehydes at room temperature, in acceptable reaction times and with excellent yields (70-98%). The use of NbCI5 in the multicomponent reaction between 2-naphthol, dimethyl malonate and aromatic aldehydes was also studied. This MCR proved to be a good synthetic route to obtain 14-aryl-14h-diabenzo{a,j]xanthene and 4-aryl-3,4-dyhydro-benzo[f]coumarin derivatives, with predominance of the 4-aryl-3,4-dihydro-benzo[f]coumarins (41-93%). The optical characterization of the derivatives of 14-aryl-14h-diabenzo[a,j]xanthene and 4-EYL-3,4-dihydro-benzo[f]coumarin revealed that these compounds have absorption bands in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out structural changes in order to use them as dyes-sensitizers in Grätzel devices / Mestre